Special thanks to our own Doug Buhler for his kind assistance in having the veteran, former SS Unterscharfuhrer Fred Umbrich dedicate his biography for me. Fred's tale of conscription into the Prinz Eugen Division and subsequent action in the brutal Balkans campaign battling partisans and subsequent imprisonment and near-starvation in Italy is a wonderful story of luck, fear, dedication, comradeship and sheer will to live. It is an honour to have this man's signed biography in my library.

My latest signed book

I received this signed copy through the post this morning. It was written by my former Battery Commander, and now a retired Brigadier. I admit to being quite touched by his generosity in sending it to me.

Books published to date... 'Belfast Diaries: A Gunner In Northern Ireland'... 'A Tough Nut To Crack - Andersonstown'... 'An Accrington Pal: The Diaries of Pte Jack Smallshaw, September 1914 To March 1919'.